CONWAY — A Conway-area man with a history of animal abuse charges admitted to mistreating 39 dogs this month and will not be allowed to own any animals for two years as part of his sentence.
Herbert Dozier, 64, pleaded guilty Nov. 4 to ill-treatment of animals. Horry County police searched Dozier’s property on Aug. 21 and found the dogs packed into two cramped kennels in his backyard.
The animals did not have adequate food or water, and the kennels were covered in mud and feces, Assistant Solicitor Brandon Lanier said.
Circuit Judge Michael Nettles sentenced Dozier to 72 days of time served and two years of probation. During that probation, Dozier is not allowed to own any animals, Nettles said.
The judge noted that Dozier’s age and the fact that he had already spent 72 days in jail were considered during sentencing.
The ill-treatment of animals charge is defined as knowingly overworking or mistreating an animal, depriving an animal of necessary sustenance or shelter, or inflicting unnecessary pain or suffering on them. It’s a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in prison and/or a fine of between $100-1,000 for a first offense.
Violators can face up to two years in prison and/or a fine less than $2,000 for a second offense, according to state law.
While prosecutors recommended that Dozier be sentenced to 18 months in prison, Dozier’s attorney, Ralph Wilson Sr., asked Nettles for leniency.
Wilson said Dozier has trained dogs for 42 years and the weather had just been bad before the police arrived on the day he was arrested. He noted his client had been in jail for 72 days without bond, which he called
